Today we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1929. My recommendation is to spend some of your day reading his own words. I have a number of his books, either written himself or collected from his articles and speeches. Some options I will consider today: Stride Toward Freedom; The Montgomery Story Where … Continue reading A Martin Luther King Jr. Reading Suggestion
Civil Rights
Welcome to Juneteenth, the newest Federal Holiday!
Last year on this date I advocated turning this traditional holiday into a Federal Holiday and clearly Joe Biden was listening to me. Rather than printing the background information again this year you can go to it by clicking here. https://walterthinnes.blog/2020/06/19/happy-juneteenth-and-a-note-about-federal-holidays/ I'm very pleased that things have changed enough to make this happen and hope … Continue reading Welcome to Juneteenth, the newest Federal Holiday!
A Tribute to Dorothy Parker
Today, June 7, 2021, is the 54th anniversary of the death of one of my favorite authors, Dorothy Parker. Most people who know Dorothy Parker know her for her witty bon mots - you've probably heard her most famous - "Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses." One even addressed her eventual demise. … Continue reading A Tribute to Dorothy Parker
Opening Night for the Old Library Theatre 10th Annual One-Act Play Festival
It is hard to find fresh theatre events during this pandemic. As a playwright, pickings are thin but I submitted my recent short play, 2020 - A Perfect Year for Magical Thinking to the Old Library Theatre in Fairlawn, New Jersey. 107 scripts were received and 12 finalists were selected. The theatre gave those dozen … Continue reading Opening Night for the Old Library Theatre 10th Annual One-Act Play Festival
Tickets for the Old Library Theatre production of my short play…
I'm afraid I've been a baaaaad blogger. Been busy personally and also spent some time writing plays. I've not even found the time to read other blogs I enjoy, so will try to make more time for that as well. Meanwhile information has been released for for the live streaming production of my short play … Continue reading Tickets for the Old Library Theatre production of my short play…
Martin Luther King Day 2021
In times more fractured since the 60's (not sure if that means 1960's or 1860's), the day commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. arrives with more pertinent lessons than ever. You will find much good writing about his life and lessons. Why not take some time to read lessons by him? I have several in my … Continue reading Martin Luther King Day 2021
Sedition Edition
I tend to use this blog for lightweight topics such as food, theatre and silly National Day commemorations. But sometimes, well sometimes, I need to address more serious topics. From the Oxford English Dictionary: seditionsedition /sɪˈdɪʃ(ə)n /▸ noun [mass noun] conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a government.– ORIGIN late Middle … Continue reading Sedition Edition
The last day of 2020
I do not know of anyone who will not be happy to have 2020 behind us. It has been a year of pain and struggle and stupidity in measures heretofore unknown. Manmade dates are somewhat arbitrary in the scheme of the Creator. But this year has been a compacted, concentrated, dumpster fire of an event. … Continue reading The last day of 2020
In Memoriam – John Lewis
It was a great loss to the world when Civil Rights Icon John Lewis passed away Friday night. He was called to the movement early in life and accomplished more than nearly any other man in that pursuit during his 80 year lifespan. He was the youngest speaker at the March on Washington and the … Continue reading In Memoriam – John Lewis
Ramble on Independence Day
Happy 4th of July, Happy American Independence Day. This is a nation still being born. The Founding Fathers had a fascinating concept that is still not fully realized. We're getting there but it is slow going, especially for citizens who still do not benefit from all the grand ideas. I have faith we'll get there, … Continue reading Ramble on Independence Day
Happy Juneteenth and a note about Federal Holidays
155 years ago today, on June 19th, 1865, a contingent of Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas and advised local enslaved African Americans that they were free. This was a year and a half after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued and almost two months after the surrender of Lee's army, effectively ending the American Civil … Continue reading Happy Juneteenth and a note about Federal Holidays
A Ramble on protests, expectations and reactions
I have found it difficult to blithely post National Food Day entries lately with all that is going on. There will be more, but the gravity of issues before us will keep me distracted from time to time. It is wonderful that protests continue and that the pressure for reform is finally being felt across … Continue reading A Ramble on protests, expectations and reactions
Playwright pitch for “The Rally”
I've never tried to pitch an idea for a new play on my blog. So I'm hoping that lots of my readers are theatre or film producers. You are, right? I'm guessing this would work better as a cinema release than a theater script. The setup: Imagine a time when a populist politician has won … Continue reading Playwright pitch for “The Rally”
Manhattanhenge Marching
On this blog I have featured Manhattanhenge many times. How the New York City cross street grid perfectly frames the rising or setting sun four times a year because of the axial tilt of the earth. How the great Neil DeGrasse Tyson named it as a hat tip to the great Stonehenge of antiquity. The … Continue reading Manhattanhenge Marching
A change is gonna come
It's been too hard living, oh myAnd I'm afraid to dieI don't know what's up thereBeyond the cloudsIt's been a long, long time comingBut I know, but I know a change is gotta comeSam Cooke This is different. And that's a good thing. There are many factors that have made the current activism to address … Continue reading A change is gonna come
A Ramble on re-opening, protests and the steps forward
New York City today begins phase one of the re-opening after three months of stay at home orders. It will be a slow process with only a few people going back to work and very limited businesses starting up again. We are eager to get moving but it will be tense judging how mass transit … Continue reading A Ramble on re-opening, protests and the steps forward
I needed to stand up and be counted
I went down to the demonstrationTo get my fair share of abuseSinging, "We're gonna vent our frustrationIf we don't we're gonna blow a fifty-amp fuse""You Can't Always Get What You Want" - The Rolling Stones Because of my health issues, I have avoided crowds up until this point. After Monday's threat (or promise) to unleash … Continue reading I needed to stand up and be counted
An ancient curse: May you live in interesting times
I usually pursue trivial topics in this silly blog. National Days. Food. National Food Days. That sort of things. Sorry to digress but I must address what is happening now. Mob violence has been a threat to the authorities throughout time. The Romans famously used "Bread and Circuses" to keep the peace. Since the 1960's … Continue reading An ancient curse: May you live in interesting times
I want my symbols back
Sometimes it is easiest to use a shortcut hand symbol to react to something. The good old thumbs down or thumbs up sign is reputed to go all the way back to the Roman Empire in gladiator contests. Thus it is recognized universally. After Trump used it reflexively during his campaign it became inextricably tied … Continue reading I want my symbols back
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Sometimes I can be pretty naive. I became politically aware at a relatively young age in 1968. The riots, the war, the losses of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. hit me pretty hard and made me wonder about how we could ever move forward. But I found hope in the fact that times … Continue reading Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Walter Thinnes 
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